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sandycee's avatar
sandycee
Member
15 years ago

shot down in flames

Wow, what a roller coaster ride that was. I felt as though I had cheated death and was on cloud 8 when we were told that I would not need radiation, and "I would be very surprised if chemo was required for you".

Then on Tuesday afternoon, I had this growning apprehension since Sunday mind you, the oncologist told me that yes, indeed he would suggest chemo for me. MInd you, I don't "have to accept it..." instead I can "choose not to have it and just have the hormone therapy." If I do however my chances for ridding cancer from my body in the next 10 years will not drop by 6% extra.

So, oh well, it looks like just four doses of what ever concoction - they did show me nd I have since forgotten - ahh, here it is Docetaxal and Cyclophosphamide. A friend who went through chemo herself has told me that they are not taken together - can anyone else please shed some light - she said that they are done separately - that is, one after the other. I didn't think to ask the oncologist cos once I was told I would need chemo, I kind of went a bit numb and my poor partner didn't think to ask.

Does anyone else have a needle phobia out there? I am going to take on some hypno-therapy a few days before my first chemo and see how that works for me. I am getting desparate. My regular oncologist is a female and does not have the best bedside manner. Her registrar saw us and he was wonderful. I will let you all know how that hypno goes anyway. I am looking forward to it.

I had a lovely lymphatic drainage massage today which I think really helped around my breast area and under my arm. I am keeping myself rugged up right now, as my skin is still nicely tingling with the lovely bergamot, mandarine and other oils she used with the coconut oil massage. I feel lovely and pampered.

Bright Blessings

Sandy xx

6 Replies

  • sandycee's avatar
    sandycee
    Member
    15 years ago

    Well I have found someone I know who had the tablet form of chemo and want to ask her - I am hoping to see her tomorrow before I make my mind up completely. I know I am getting thin skinned about all of this and you ladies are doing wonderfully well being brave.

    I had my heart scan yesterday and that was two needles. The second one hurt more than the first one, though I could cope with that. The mistake was when I had the blood test only an hour after that one and she put the needle into the same vein and it hurt like H..LL! I was not a happy ray of sunshine and then she kept talking all the while telling me to close my fist, open, close - while I am trying to relax and breathe and be in my sacred place...open...close...

    She didn't tell me when it was all done, so I am sitting there waiting for it to end - the agony of it all :p Oh well, hope the hypnotherapy and the psychology works. Otherwise will just chicken out and go the tablets. So what if it takes six months instead of three...

    cheerio for now

    Sandy xx

    stay smiling everyone - you are all being very brave.

  • sandycee's avatar
    sandycee
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Leonie,

    Now you have me concerned. Is the "penny" the thing they put in your chest? My friend had that and didn't mention having to have it flushed out every month. She said it was better as it saves your veins. My parthner told me - Yes, that would be okay, but it will be in for the entire 3 months, where as the canola is only in 4 days (meaning the four dosage days). He has a point, my pain threshold is terribly low.

    My oncologist was not very nice to me and told me "it has to go into a vein SOMEWHERE!" She was very abrasive and I want to think she was only having a bad day. None of the options were really explained properly to me so I want to have another discussion with her on what will/won't work. Right now, I think that she thinks I am just being a difficult patient and better get me some help.

    I got referred to a psychologist - the same day as my hypnotherapy so I am hoping I will have a double dose of this psycho-help and will breeze through everything.

    Thanks for the feed back though

    Take care and stay healthy

    Sandy xx

  • sandycee's avatar
    sandycee
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hello Monica,

    The support group meets at Michelle's Patisserie on the ground floor at Westfeild Liverpool every second Wednesday. Next Wednesday is the next meeting. It starts at 12.00 and most of the ladies usually order ham/cheese toasted sandwiches. It is really great, sorry I won't make this one as taking the opportunity to visit a relative at LIthgow haven't seen for ages. Otherwise, will be there at the following meeting. It is more of a social group though they are a great bunch of women - all survivors of different years/stages.

    My medical oncologist is Dr Bagia at the Hospital, Radiologist is Professor Delaney. I know it is only four doses, so am hopeful of the hypnotherapy to help.

    Thanks for your support Monica - hope we run into each other one day, if you go to the support group, please let me know I will watch out for you 31st August.

    Cheerio

    Sandy xx

  • jojo71's avatar
    jojo71
    Member
    15 years ago

    Such a roller coaster, sorry you've had a hard slog. But you can do this. Hope the hypnotherapy helps you overcome your fears.

    Needles? I never look when it comes to blood tests or the canula going in, and I tell myself this is the least of my problems. Once it's in, it's in and the sting is so temporary. 

    xx

  • jojo71's avatar
    jojo71
    Member
    15 years ago

    Such a roller coaster, sorry you've had a hard slog. But you can do this. Hope the hypnotherapy helps you overcome your fears.

    Needles? I never look when it comes to blood tests or the canula going in, and I tell myself this is the least of my problems. Once it's in, it's in and the sting is so temporary. 

    xx

  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    15 years ago

    what a bummer i had the same potion as suggested for yourself and also 4doses -not pleasant but it is doable i dont have my computer at the moment so it is a bit of a challenge using my t-hub, when do you commence? the doxetaxel or taxetore as it is known is really nasty but what can we do? i survived but now have quite a few 'leftover side effects'which i have to get investigated. it is 9 weeks since i have finished. i hate needles as well because i have bad veins so i have a portacath in (penny)_ still needles but my veins have been saved. i have to now get 'penny' flushed every month and that hurts so it never ends. you will need to see what works best for you. decisions again i know but it does have a process xleonie